Maronites

Maronites, a Syrian people occupying the western slopes of Mount Lebanon and neighbouring coastlands, traditionally descended or named from a patriarch Maronius, and formerly monothelites, but in 1215 united to Rome, though retaining some peculiar national rites and privileges, such as celebrating the Latin mass in the Syrian language. At present, however, all speak Arabic exclusively. Population, about 230,000. For their long wars with their pagan Druze neighbours see Druzes.